Therapeutic benefits of maximum androgen blockade and tolerability of bicalutamide in patients with advanced prostate cancer

Abstract

Aim: To assess the therapeutic benefits of Maximum Androgen Blockade and the Tolerability of Bicalutamide, an oral non-steroidal anti-androgen in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of forty-nine(49) male patients aged between 42 and 84 years with tumour grades T2, T3 and T4 were enrolled in a multi-centre clinical trial to receive bicatutamide 50mg daily following surgical castration. Patients were assessed for disease status, adverse events and quality of life. Results: Thirty-three (33) patients completed the study and had therapy for 48 weeks, 90.9% of whom had complete response while the quality of life due to urinary symptoms was also markedly improved. The profile of adverse events was mild. Conclusion: Bicalutamide given as a daily dose of 50mg in combination with surgical castration is a well tolerated therapy and has therapeutic benefits in African patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Keywords

• advanced prostate cancer
• surgical castration
• bicalutamide
• tolerability
• therapeutic benefits
• maximum androgen blockade